As the Orlando Magic walked off the ground and into the hallways of Amway Center after ending their season Sunday, they did so with an power that didn’t resemble a staff with a 22-60 document.
It helped that the Magic ended the season by tying their single-game 3-point document (23) in a 125-111 win over the Miami Heat through which each groups sat most of their starters.
But the spirit Orlando had because it closed out its season was the embodiment of what first-year Magic coach Jamahl Mosley has spoken about since he was employed in July.
“Our guys understand there’s a bigger picture than just this moment here,” Mosley mentioned Sunday. “Our guys have embraced every single moment; every single day of getting better every game. That’s how you keep that energy, and we have a special group of young men. They care about each other so much, continue to encourage each other and fight for one another.”
That care was proven within the little and large moments all through the seven-month-long common season: from the entertaining postgame walk-off interviews and celebrating one another’s private accolades resembling Franz Wagner’s Rookie of the Month award for December to carrying Markelle Fultz t-shirts when he returned from a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee in late February.
The Magic finally understood the 2021-22 season, their first full season after kick-starting a rebuild on the March 2021 commerce deadline, was extra in regards to the improvement of their youthful gamers than their last document.
From a improvement standpoint, progress was made.
Wendell Carter Jr. got here into his personal with the Magic a 12 months after being traded to Orlando from the Chicago Bulls by averaging career-highs in factors (15), rebounds (10.5) and assists (2.8) and a true-shooting share (60.1%), which is a system that includes free throws and higher-value 3-point pictures.
Wagner, the No. 8 choose in final 12 months’s draft, performed with a steadiness, versatility and effectivity not displayed by most younger gamers, averaging 15.2 factors, 4.5 rebounds and a couple of.9 assists in 79 video games (essentially the most amongst rookies).
Second-year guard Cole Anthony averaged career-highs in factors (16.3), assists (5.7) and rebounds (5.4). Mo Bamba additionally put up career-highs in factors (10.6), rebounds (8.1) and blocks (1.7) in a much bigger position.
When obtainable, Jalen Suggs confirmed the defensive presence and passing imaginative and prescient that made him the No. 5 choose in final 12 months’s draft.
Fultz got here again from his damage seemingly not lacking a beat, averaging 10.8 factors (47.4% capturing), 5.5 assists and 1.1 steals in 20 minutes.
R.J. Hampton and Chuma Okeke additionally took steps ahead of their improvement, particularly defensively.
The Magic’s defensive ranking from Jan. 1 to the tip of a season — their last 46 video games — of 111.3 was the league’s Tenth-best mark.
“I know the record doesn’t always show what’s grown and progressed, but this group of young men stayed together. There’s been a spirit on the court every single night and that’s just going to turn up another level as we walk into next year,” Mosley mentioned. “Our guys are excited about it and the fans should be extremely excited about it because they see the way in which these young men play for one another and battle no matter what’s happening.”
There was a standard phrase utilized by a number of gamers Sunday: “The sky’s the limit.”
“With us being so young, it gives us an opportunity to really mold everyone,” Carter mentioned. “We’re in a perfect opportunity where everybody understands what everyone’s capable of and we all like each other. No one’s hating on each other. None of that’s going on. That’s rare. We got an opportunity to be really special.”
Suggs was one of many gamers who echoed these phrases when talking with the media.
“I mean that wholeheartedly,” Suggs mentioned. “I don’t say that with fake confidence. I say that because I truly believe in it.”
But the Magic additionally know extra steps will must be taken.
And for as a lot younger expertise as they’ve, with six lottery picks since 2017 on the roster, leveling up subsequent season will likely be tougher than it was this 12 months.
It’ll assist that the Magic could have a 52.1% likelihood of securing a top-four choose within the June 23 draft, giving Orlando much more expertise to construct with subsequent season.
Orlando’s odds within the draft will likely be: 14% for the No. 1 choose; 13.4% for No. 2; 12.7% for No. 3; 12% for No. 4; 27.8% for No. 5; 20% for No. 6.
But as Wagner mentioned, “Potential’s just potential at the end of the day. It’s on us to get better and move forward.”
Added Fultz: “It’s not going to be easy at all. We all understand that. We can be something special, but it’s not going to be easy. It’s going to take a lot of hard work, a lot of trust, [and] a lot of learning. We’re all ready for that challenge.”
As the Magic put the ultimate touches on the season, they did so feeling assured that subsequent 12 months and the seasons to comply with will carry extra success as a result of the inspiration they laid throughout 2021-22 was a powerful one to construct off.
“The one thing we’ve talked about with these guys is the foundation is set,” Mosley mentioned. “Now it goes into the little things, the tiniest of details that they have to understand of what we’re trying to do. Leveling up one more.”
Or as Carter mentioned, “We’re going to be lit next year.”
This article first appeared on OrlandoSentinel.com. Email Khobi Price at [email protected] or comply with him on Twitter at @khobi_price.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com